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Health Articles

Posted on
August 10, 2015
by
Michael Kelly

From my days as an elementary school student, I recall the teacher’s counsel to eat a nutritious breakfast before a big test. Therefore, I can testify that at least as far back as the 1970s some teachers knew that nutrition was important for academic performance. Even today, my children are encouraged to eat a well-balanced breakfast before standardized tests. Likewise, conventional wisdom holds that kids of all ages need to burn-off energy during the school day and not simply sit still in their desk. I think teachers and parents alike can list many benefits of integrating nutritious meals …

Posted on
July 6, 2015
by
Jana Renner

As the parent of a child transitioning to high school, I am both excited and holding my breath about the next four years. One of my primary concerns is alcohol – by far the most commonly used and abused substance among adolescents in the United States. Underage drinking has declined slightly over the past few years; however, 4300 young people under 21 are still losing their lives every year in this country because of alcohol use, and many more compromise their futures.

Most alarming is the fact that many adolescents are extreme binge drinking (10 or more drinks in one occasion). Underag…

Posted on
June 1, 2015
by
Bianca De León

The characteristics and statistics of a specific region are vital information to improve a population’s health. Yet, access to this information can be difficult to locate and often time consuming. This can be especially true when looking for health information of three states and two countries – Paso del Norte region.

The Healthy Paso del Norte website (www.healthypasodelnorte.org) brings non-biased data, local resources and a wealth of information to one accessible location. This user-friendly website is intended to help community members and policy makers learn about the health of the …

Posted on
May 4, 2015
by
Bianca De León

Do you remember your first crush? The first time you held hands with that special someone? What about your first kiss? For most of us, these experiences were positive, maybe even romantic, and filled with newly discovered emotions as we explored this new phase of our sexuality. Adolescents and teens are beginning to explore those emotions in similar ways. It’s important for parents to understand this phase of their child’s development and find ways to communicate the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships, especially with teen dating violence on the rise.

Posted on
April 6, 2015
by
Jon Law

The TTB’s decision is not without controversy. Alaska, Delaware, Louisiana, South Carolina and Vermont already have banned powdered alcohol and several other states are considering the same action. Supporters of banning the product are concerned with the potential use and misuse of Palcohol by youth. They argue that powdered alcohol is easily concealed and could be mixed with liquid alcohol, rather than water, to create a dangerous substance. David Jernigan, associate professor at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, explains: “we know that there is a certain set of young people…

Posted on
March 2, 2015
by
Enrique Mata

Working with Paso del Norte Health Foundation’s Think.Change initiative, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of the vital role mental and emotional well-being plays in overall health. Building a society of acceptance and support includes practicing positive thinking, which contributes to better emotional health. I learned firsthand that each of us plays a role in reducing the negative bias associated with mental and emotional illness.

In 2006, my brother was diagnosed with stage III rectal cancer at 39 years of age and went through more than a year of treatment and surgeries. Throughou…

Posted on
February 2, 2015
by
Jon Law

Another Step Closer to a Smoke Free Paso del Norte …

Big props to The Housing Authority for the City of El Paso (HACEP) and its leadership for planning to takepublic housing smoke free. Holly Mata (UTEP) and her team from the Hispanic Health Disparities Research Center conducted a survey of HACEP residents and found that more than 40% of residents smell secondhand smoke in their units. The policy shift will also protect HACEP’s physical property as the housing authority undergoes a major renovation of its units.

Posted on
February 2, 2015
by
Michael Kelly

Elementary school children benefit from free play and having breaks from sitting in a classroom. Unfortunately, not all children in grades kindergarten to 5th have adequate daily recess.

Children who misbehave at school may be punished by having recess denied, despite the fact that this is usually against school policy. Other children may be deprived of recess to attend tutoring or make-up exams after being out sick, which may also be against policy. Based on the existing literature, however, recess is beneficial for both social and academic performance and should not be withheld for any…

Posted on
February 7, 2014
by
Jon Law

Dr. Carroll, Professor of Pediatrics at Indiana University School of Medicine, asserts that we are unfairly demonizing soda, when other foods in chain restaurants have a much greater contribution to caloric unbalance (eating more than we burn). Take a look at his analysis of a 4000 calorie meal at Chili’s. Arguably, the Coca Cola is least threatening of the foods in this hypothetical meal. …

Posted on
January 30, 2014
by
Jon Law

An update for those who may not know — Mexico has a new soda tax, referred to in Mexico as the “Impuesto a las bebidas azucaradas” (tax on sugared drinks).

In 2013, the Peña Nieto administration approved a number of fiscal reforms, which include a tax of 1 peso (approximately 8 cents) per liter of soda. In addition, there is a 5% excise tax on high calorie packaged foods, like potato chips and sweetened breakfast cereals.

This tax is a little different from New York City’s soda law passed in 2012. The NYC Board of Health, with strong encouragement from Mayor Bloomberg, banned many s…

News

February 15, 2018

Students at Ysleta Independent School District (YISD) are leading a more healthy and active lifestyle these days, due to the coordinated approach of students, campus staff, and student families that are learning the Coordinated Approach To Child Health or CATCH program. With support from the Paso del Norte Health Fo…